(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University volleyball team (0-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) fell to No. 2 Texas (1-1, 0-0 SEC) in five sets Monday evening in the Jeep AVCA First Serve at Fiserv Forum.
Carson Tyler led the Marquette offense with a team-high 18 kills while adding nine digs, and Luanna Markus directed the attack with 35 assists to go along with 11 digs and a team-high six blocks. Tani Juric contributed seven kills and seven digs, while Emma Parks added six kills and three blocks. Defensively, Emi Juric paced the Golden Eagles with 13 digs, while Markus, Tyler and Allie Beers each recorded nine digs.
As a team, Marquette finished with 42 kills and 59 digs while holding a 12-10 advantage in blocks. The Golden Eagles recorded three service aces, led by aces from Emi Juric, Beers and Tyler, but were limited to a .104 hitting percentage against a Texas squad that hit .258 for the match.
Marquette overcame an early 8-5 deficit in the opening set, using a 6-1 run highlighted by back-to-back blocks to move ahead 11-9. After the teams were tied at 14-14, the Golden Eagles took control behind Emi Juric’s serve, scoring five straight points, including kills from Tani Juric and Carson Tyler, to build a 19-14 advantage. Texas closed within two late, but kills from Keira Schmidt and Tyler secured a 25-22 set victory.
The Golden Eagles carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 4-1 lead behind two early Tyler kills. Texas gradually worked its way back and evened the set at 12-12 before Marquette regained a slim edge on a Tyler service ace. Holding a 15-14 lead at the media timeout, Marquette saw the Longhorns respond with a decisive 6-0 run fueled by strong serving and play at the net, as Texas claimed the set 25-19 to level the match.
Marquette again started fast in the third set, winning four of the first five points and building an 8-7 lead. The Longhorns answered with a 5-0 run to move in front 12-8, and although the Golden Eagles pulled within 14-12 behind kills from Tani Juric and Tyler, Texas responded with six straight points, including three service aces, to take command. Tyler continued to pace the offense, but Texas closed out a 25-16 win and moved ahead 2-1 in the match.
Facing a one-set deficit, Marquette responded in the fourth by racing to an 8-4 lead behind kills from Caydence Doolan, Schmidt and Molly Welge. The Golden Eagles maintained control throughout most of the set, stretching the margin to 15-10 and later 21-17 behind Tyler and Tani Juric. Texas rallied to within 22-21, but a key block from Welge and Luanna Markus kept Marquette in front. After the Longhorns fought off three match points, a Texas service error gave the Golden Eagles a 25-23 victory and forced a fifth set.
Texas seized control of the decisive frame from the start, scoring the first six points behind three kills from Cari Spears and several Marquette attacking errors. The Golden Eagles answered with a 6-3 run, highlighted by an Emi Juric service ace, a Markus kill and consecutive blocks by Markus and Welge to trim the deficit to 9-6. However, Texas consistently sided out down the stretch and never allowed Marquette to draw closer, closing the set 15-8 to secure the match.
NOTES
- MU fell to 0-2 against the Longhorns all-time
- Marquette fell to 0-3 all-time at Fiserv Forum
- Eight Golden Eagles made their debut in the Blue & Gold vs. Texas (Emi Juric, Tani Juric, Carson Tyler, Molly Welge, Allie Beers, Caydence Doolan, Luanna Markus, Annika Kowalski)
- Marquette dropped their first season-opening match since 2023 (3-1 loss vs. Western Kentucky)
- The Golden Eagles outblocked the Longhorns, 12.0-11.0, despite Texas holding advantages in kills (65-42) and hitting percentage (.258-.104).
- Junior transfer Carson Tyler made an immediate impact in her Marquette debut, posting a team-high 18 kills while adding nine digs and an ace.
- Freshman setter Luanna Markus recorded a double-double of 35 assists, 11 digs and a team-high six blocks in her first collegiate match.
- Freshman libero Emi Juric led Marquette defensively with 13 digs and added a service ace.
- Tani Juric contributed seven kills and seven digs, while Emma Parks added six kills and three blocks.
UP NEXT
Marquette heads to Dayton, Ohio this Friday, Aug. 28 for a 6 p.m. CT matchup against Dayton.
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